Rockets vs. the WC Playoff teams (Who would win best of 7 series?)

i could give my opinion on both offensive and defensive game plans for all 8 teams listed, but that would take forever. since i feel like we will finish at #8 and the suns #1 ill just talk about them.

offense: drive to the rim. it's there for guys like brooks, rafer, bonzi, and tmac. yao, landry, and scola can also score from the block. close shots = close rebounds, rather than long jumpers which if missed will start the suns fast break.

defense: you just have to let nash get his and make sure everyone else has a body on them.

 

I hate to be the downer, but the last few years have given me no reason to believe that the Rockets can beat any elite team in a seven game series. The Rockets have not shown that they can execute in close games to get it done. I would love to be proven wrong, but they haven't shown me nothing yet to make me believe otherwise.

 

1) the last few yrs, have we had role players that u have faith in? NO
this year we do. BIG difference.

2) since tmac came back from his injuries, have we fared well in the 4th? YES. we have not struggled in the 4th to score points in a while and that's a great sign.

that's the reason we lost before. we're slowly but surely are making those our strengths.

 

Hopefully they can prove you wrong....

 

Suns - I predict a front, simply our front court is just too dominate over the suns, beside nash was lost a step this year, if we can guard nash well, we will win

Spurs - Very close, Yao and Spurs a wash. it is parker that i am worry our guards to have problems with. we lose it to parker

Lakers - on paper we will lose, however, I think this year or next they will still be findout ways to play together. after that they are very dangerous.

Mavs - we should flare better against them with additions of our rookies. we win

Hornets - our experience should win this

Jazz - with landry and scola on broozer, we win

Blazers - no question, we win
Nuggets - we win as our front court would be too big of a problem to them

 

LOL ... what experience? The only relevant experience there is Chris Paul has owned us ever since he's been in the league.

 

I think we'd win---
4-3 over the Spurs
4-2 over the Hornets
4-2 over the Nuggets
4-3 over the Jazz

We'd get busted up by----
Mavs 4-3
Suns 4-2
Lakers 4-3
Warriors 4-3

I know I listed 8 teams and I'm not counting Portland because I feel that they will slip... There has been comments about Chris Paul slaughtering us....we just have to trap him at key times....just like the Spurs do Nash on defense and make the other scrubs beat us

 

Great thread Zboy. I was thinking of starting it myself until I saw yours.

First of all, I've been thinking about this for the last couple days now that it appears Yao and McGrady are fairly healthy and we look like we're actually starting to play with a little purpose.

Before we get to the matchups, I really would like to see two things happen:

1. Brooks replace Rafer in the starting lineup with McGrady. I think this has to happen for us to take the next step as a team. Rafer has been as good as he possibly can be. And I still think he should be about 20 mpg, but I think it should come with the second unit. Brooks fits better with what we are trying to do, make teams pay for doubling Yao/McGrady. He's a better shooter and a better finisher. Unfortunately, I still see too many games where team defenses are geared up to force the ball to Rafer and he is still doing the 2 for 9 thing too many times. Like I say, Rafer has been great. But Brooks is the better fit with Yao and McGrady. He needs to start, and get some run, so he can work out the kinks in his game and get comfortable come playoff time. It's got to happen. If the young man fails, we can always go back to Rafer. Rafer is a given. We've got to explore getting better efficiency from the point guard spot when Yao/McGrady are on the floor though.

2. I'd like to see us trade for another bonafide bomber like Mike Miller. I think we need another dead eye on the perimeter that can get off his shot with a high degree of accuracy and there's nobody better than Miller that is available. This would require that we probably give up Luther, expirings, and a pick and Les be willing to pay the lux tax this season. Miller would make teams pay big time. He's shooting the living daylights out of the ball playing on a horrid Memphis team where he has been the second offensive focus behind Pao. I really hope we can make a move for him.

2.b. Without losing any of our big man rotation of Yao/Deke/Scola/Landry/Hayes

1. Phoenix - Tough, tough matchup. Although I'd like to think the Golden State game is showing us the way on this one, which is the Adelman way. Move the ball in and out and around the court like mad, get the ball to Yao on the move and put him in position to do serious damage to Phoenix's frontcourt and be able to line the court with shooters like Battier, Novak, Brooks, McGrady, Scola, Landry............and hopefully Mike Miller. If we trade for Miller and move Brooks to the starting unit, I'm not saying I'm confident we can beat Phoenix but I'd like to see that 7 game series. I don't think Phoenix would want us.

2. New Orleans - Just not worried about these guys. Last time they beat us, West went crazy, and we were without Yao or McGrady I believe. I think we can take these guys in a 7 game series, especially if we can get into their bench. They're not as good as their record. They have no playoff experience.

3. Dallas - After watching Dallas' lethargic performance against Detroit today, I am becoming more convinced they've got to go for a blockbuster trade of Kidd or hope that Harris comes back and becomes the difference maker. I am convinced that even if Harris comes back and we don't make any more moves that we are even money to beat Dallas right now. I think we have more upside and we have seen the nth degree of Dallas already. They're hurting now and if they don't get Harris back or make a move for Kidd, they are gonna fade big time. Not to mention, even if the trade for Kidd goes down, they lose all their depth. (But I still don't want to see them get him because he would allow Terry to come off the bench torching everybody.)

4. San Antonio - If Tony Parker doesn't make it back, they are ripe for the taking. They can't win it without him. If he can't get back, I wouldn't mind seeing them in the first round. I don't think they make it past the first round without him. If he deos make it all the way back, I still like us if we can get Brooks into the starting 5 and make a move for another big time shooter.

5. Utah - Ugh! I hate playing these guys. Although they are not playing great D right now, Jerry Sloan is just a great coach. He showed me a lot last game against them when he allowed the game to be morphed into a shooting contest and then he stuck Korver in there and killed us. I do not want to play them. I think we can beat them if we are healthy and at our best, but they are so tough and take so much out of you. If our bigs keep coming on though, they don't want to play us either.

6. Lakers - Hmmmm! Trade could really upset the whole West. It will be interesting to see how Pao works out. They gave up nothing for him. I would say at this point, I do not want to face them, until the WC finals. I think they are going to be real tough. BTW, the trade has totally energized the best player in the league. And Derrick Fisher is, simply put, a Rocket killer. Another reason we have to get Brooks in the SL. Fisher against Rafer just kills us out there.

7. Denver - Not worried about them. Not enough inside game. They can't stop us in a 7 game series.

8. Golden State - Adelman has Dandy Don's number. Not worried about them as long as we are totally healthy.

9. Portland - they're not making the playoffs, too young. If they do sneak in, we'll bounce them in 5 or sweep.

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On a sidenote, in the Eastern Conference, the only teams that scare me are Boston and Detroit, and I think I fear Detroit more, although I believe that Boston is going to get better. I still think the World Champion is likely to come from the West and if I had to lay odds, I would bet on the Pacific Division.

 

op said "barring any further injury". i think both tony parker and andrew bynum are projected to return this season. and if we assume tmac is playing at full health, we have to assume that parker and bynum are as well.

that being said, i have to agree with durvasa. I only see us taking portland and the nuggets. the problem is, a tnt announcer (i think it was van gundy) projected that out of the top 10 west teams, denver and portland would be the teams left out of the playoffs.

 

I would absolutely salivate over a Rockets-Spurs matchup. The Rockets are the one team that present a matchup nightmare for the Spurs. With Yao's improvement on defense, he has been able to absolutely neutralize Duncan lately. Duncan can't use that face up-quickness style against Yao anymore, and Yao is way too strong and too tall for him to post up. Plus, Bonzi is a backcourt matchup nightmare for them.

 

VERY important fact. In general, I think Bonzi is coasting. He should improve his concentration for the second season.

 

only playoff team rockets could beat in a series are the blazers

every other team we'd get roasted by real nba guards, then add in the refs and good game

honestly i've never seen such crap from refs on all the rockets years - besides dream the rockets never get love in the playoffs - if we do make the playoffs, what are we #10?? watch for the refs to give love to the home teams in round 1

 

Best of 7

To early to be having this discussion, especially since we still have a way to go before McGrady fits into our team concept and the rookies understand the team game plan. Also the new Coach, Coach A is still learning how to coach our guys.

 

First off, we got more improvements to make as a team. But if our current progression continues, the Rockets will be the low seeded team that nobody wants to face in the 1st round. Beleive IT! (ahem, '95)

1. Phoenix - D'Antoni has said in the past he worries about the Rockets cause we can dictate the pace of the game. Problem is, we haven't. If we do, we can beat them.

2. New Orleans - beatable.

3. Dallas - We already took them to a 7-game series with a lessor team.

4. San Antonio - we all agree we like our chances.

5. Utah - Already took them to a 7-game series with a lessor team. What was our biggest problem? Matching up with Boozer. Now we have Scola and Landry. I'll remain hopeful. But Jerry Sloan's teams don't make mistakes and they wear you down. I'd be worried about this one.

6. Lakers - Anytime you play Kobe, you gotta be worried. On paper they look nice but too soon to see if they'll gel in time.

7. Denver - beatable.

8. Golden State - Control the pace ...and win.

9. Portland - not relevant. won't make it.

 

When it comes to the play offs, anything is possible.

Yao need to came out big in 2 games, while Tmac need to come out big in the other 2 games.

If it comes to the 7th game, the deeper bench of Rox could be the difference, as hopefully the bench will help limit the playing time of yao and tmac. Which will hopefully keep them fresher at the final game.

 

Let's say it all together, Defense wins Championship (Spurs). So the following only focuses on defense, which increases during the playoffs

Blazers - We match up well against them if Tmac or Battier is holding Brandon Roy. Rafer against Roy will get us murdered in series.

Denver - Let AI score his against Rafer, which will take out the remaining Nuggets who could get hot. Like Melo, Klezia (dude hit a 40 burger a while back), JR Smith (crazy as u know what but can score).

Warriors - Big trouble if Ricky A. tries to have Yao (Landry needs to) cover Harrington at the 3 point line and he's hot, which happens a lot. Must move Shane to Barron and let Rafer hold Monta. Tmac must d up on Steven Jackson and make him play D against him to slow down Steven's offense

Jazz - Yao on Boozer is scary, but I prefer Booz jacking up jumpers than posting up everyone else outside of Scola at will. Scola and Landry would be key against them. Plus some remembering that Korver is in the game. Neither Luther or Novak can check Korver. Bonzi is the best option because he will make Korver a defensive liability and Bonzi has the ability to force him off the 3 point line.

Lakers - Not as concerned with Gasol trade, this forces L.A. into half court game, which is a strength of our defense. I think Scola can force Gasol to play D on the other end and would be an effective defender against Gasol. It's all about help team defense on Kobe and Rafer/AG not getting murdered by Fischer/Farmer.

Spurs - We play well against the Spurs and I like our chances since once again, they are a halfcourt team. Our defense matches up well

Hornets - This team has our number because we cannot stop Chris Paul or David West. Yes, Yao played him well down the stretch but outside of 15 feet, West is going to murder Yao. Once again, Landry and Scola will key, forcing West closer to the basket for potential blocks and doubles by Yao. I don't understand why we don't trap with Yao and point guards on pick and rolls just to throw off a team.

Mavericks - Our D on Jason Terry and Stackhouse is key. Once we substitute Luther into the game, Avery immediately comes with Stack. And will someone please tell the Rockets that Jason Terry only scores going right. AB, watch the film son and learn.

Suns - Let Nash abuse Rafer for a 25 plus scoring average and stay with the 3 point shooters. Change up defense on pick and roll with Nash and Stats. Trap, Force Baseline, Rotate off the french dude. etc... Nash scoring is much better than Nash assisting.